Door lock push-button control structure

ABSTRACT

A push-button switch assembly is provided and includes one or more banks of push-button switches. Each switch includes a switch body shiftable between first and second limit positions and a third intermediate position. Each switch also includes a switch actuator also shiftable between first and second limit positions and a third intermediate position. A pair of push-buttons is provided for each switch and each pair of push-buttons is operable to shift the corresponding switch actuator between the first and second limit positions thereof. The switch bodies each include a pair of spaced terminals and the switch actuators each include terminal bridging means for bridging the corresponding terminals when the actuator is in a position thereof corresponding to the position of the associated switch body. In the instant invention, the switch assembly is disclosed as operatively associated with a door latch operating mechanism of the solenoid type and selected switches of the bank of switches may be operatively associated with the door latch operating mechanism and must have a proper button actuator thereof depressed in order to enable the door latch actuator to operate. Any of the switches not operatively associated with the door latch operating mechanism may be connected to suitable alarm systems, porch lights, and warning systems in an adjacent neighbors house, or remote police station. Also, the door lock push-button control is adapted for actuation not only by house current, but also includes a provision whereby a battery may be positioned in place from outside the associated door and electrically connected to the push-button control assembly in the event of failure of the domestic house current, the insertion of a battery into its proper position automatically opening the circuit by which the switch is normally supplied current from domestic supply and connecting the battery to the control system in lieu of the domestic current.

United States Patent [191 Goodwin June 11, 1974 DOOR LOCK PUSH-BUTTONCONTROL STRUCTURE [76] Inventor: Charles M. Goodwin, Rt. No. 2,

Mount Vernon, Ohio 43050 [22] Filed: June 19, 1973 [21] Appl. No.:371,418

[52] US. Cl 307/66, 307/40, 317/134,

200/ 153 [51] Int. Cl. H02j 7/00 [58] Field of Search 307/66, 40, 10 AT;

317/134; 340/365 R; 200/42 R, 43, 44, 45, 153 R, 153 A, 61.27; 70/278[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 783,612 2/1905 Clark 200/153R 3,582,583 6/1971 Paterson 200/43 Primary Examiner-Robert K. SchaeferAssistant ExaminerM. Ginsburg Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Clarence A.OBrien; Harvey B. -Jacobson 57 ABSTRACT tions and a third inten'nediateposition. A pair of pushbuttons is provided for each switch and eachpair of push-buttons is operable to shift the corresponding switchactuator between the first and second limit positions thereof. Theswitch bodies each include a pair of spaced terminals and the switchactuators each include terminal bridging means for bridging thecorresponding terminals when the actuator is in a position thereofcorresponding to the position of the associated switch body. In theinstant invention, the switch assembly is disclosed as operativelyassociated with a door latch operating mechanism of the solenoid typeand selected switches of the bank of switches may be operativelyassociated with the door latch operating mechanism and must have aproper button actuator thereof depressed in order to enable the doorlatch actuator to operate. Any of the switches not operativelyassociated with the door latch operating mechanism may be connected tosuitable alarm systems, porch lights, and warning systems in an adjacentneighbors house, or remote police station. Also, the door lockpush-button control is adapted for actuation not only by house current,but also includes a provision whereby a battery may be positioned inplace from outside the associated door and electrically connected to thepush-button control assembly in the event of failure of the domestichouse current, the insertion of a battery into its proper positionautomatically opening the circuit by which the switch is normallysupplied current from domestic supply and connecting the battery to thecontrol system in lieu of the domestic current.

15 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PATENTEUJUR 11 m4 3316752 SHEET 4 IF 4DOOR LOCK PUSH-BUTTON CONTROL STRUCTURE This invention is adaptable innumerous places, such as public transportation terminals, meat lockers,cash registers, file cabinets, school lockers, post office boxes, bankvaults, laboratories in hospitals, and in homes. The invention isconstructed whereby when an unauthorized person attempts to actuate thecontrol that person will inadvertently actuate a segment of the controloperatively connected to a warning light or buzzer. When used inconjunction with school lockers, each control structure would havewarning light actuating buttons as well as direct lock opening buttonswith the result that tampering of a locker by an unauthorized personwould most certainly actuate the warning light as opposed to opening thelocker.

In places where extreme security must be maintained, two stages ofcontrol systems may be used with a first control system providing accessto outer areas of security and a second control assembly beingnecessarily actuated to gain access to inner security areas. Of course,each inner and outer control structure could have warning systems builtthereinto with the result that the chance of unauthorized personsgaining access to inner security areas would be substantiallynonexistent.

The main object of this invention is to provide a push-button controlstructure which may be utilized in numerous environments and which willinclude a plurality of double position switches with preselectedswitches having predetermined position contacts thereof connected inseries for actuating the desired electrical apparatus. Another object ofthis invention, in accordance with the immediately preceding object, isto provide a pushbutton control system or structure wherein theterminals of the contact positions not connected in series for actuatingthe aforementioned electrical apparatus may be connected to silentalarms, audible alarms and/or remote alarms, whereby not only will theunauthorized person be able to actuate the proper push-buttons foroperating the associated electrical apparatus, but he will, inattempting to actuate the associated electrical apparatus, operate awarning system or alarm.

Another very important object of this invention is to provide apush-button control system specifically adapted for use in controllingentrance through a door and including reserve standby electrical powerwhereby authorized access through the door may be gained in the eventoffailure of domestic current.

A further object of this invention is to provide a pushbutton controlstructure which may be readily reset having been used.

Still another object of this invention, in accordance with theimmediately preceding object, is to provide a push-button controlassembly which may be readily removed for repair thereon and for thepurpose of changing the combination of push-buttons which are requiredto actuate the associated electrical apparatus.

A final object of this invention to be specifically enumerated herein isto provide a push-button control structure in accordance with thepreceding objects and which conform to conventional forms ofmanufacture, be of simple construction and easy to use so as to providea device that will be economically feasible, long lasting and relativelytrouble free in operation.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part herein, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional door structure with whichthe door lock push-button control assembly of the instant invention isoperatively associated, the weather door on the outer side of thecontrol assembly being illustrated in the open position;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary, vertical sectional view takensubstantially upon a plane passing through the center of the controlassembly illustrated in FIG. 1 and with the switch and correspondingswitch actuator being illustrated in the neutral position;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view similar to FIG. 2 butillustrating one of the switches in a shifted position;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary, sectional view of one of the switchesand an associated switch actuator illustrating the area of electricalcontact when the switch is electrically actuated;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, horizontal sectional view taken substantiallyupon the plane indicated by the section line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially uponthe plane indicated by the section line 66 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of one of the switches, itsactuator and push-button operators together with the switch positionretaining structure and a portion of the cancelling frame for returningthe switch operators to their neutral positions;

FIG. 8 is a rear elevational view of the push-button control structure;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the structure bywhich a storage battery may be introduced into the system andautomatically electrically connected therein while at the same timedisconnecting the control system from conventional house current;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view illustratingthe manner in which the storage battery is received into the housing forthe push-button control system; and

FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of an electrical solenoid systemto which the push-button control assembly may be electrically connected,the solenoid operating system being adapted for use to release the latchmechanism of the door illustrated in FIG. 1.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, in the numeral 10generally designates a wall having a doorway 12 formed therein. A door14 is hung in the doorway l2 and the door 14 has an upper opening 16formedtherethrough in which the housing 18 of the push-button controlassembly of the instant invention may be secured in any convenientmanner. The pushbutton control system is referred to in general by thereference numeral 20 and it may be seen that the housing 18 includes afront wall 22 having an opening 24 formed in a lower central portionthereof. The front wall 22 is also provided with horizontal spaced apartpairs of vertically spaced push-button receiving recess 26 and 28. Acover panel 30 is also provided and hinged to the lower marginal portionof the front of the housing 18, as at 32. The cover panel 30 may beswung from the open position thereof illustrated in FIG. 1 of thdrawings proving access to the front of the housing 18 and the closedposition thereof illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings whereby the frontwall 22 of the housing 18 is closed behind the cover panel 30.

The front wall 22 is provided with bores 36 and 38 which open rearwardlythrough the front wall 22 and forwardly into the corresponding recesses26 and 28, respectively. Also, the housing 18 includes top and bottomwalls 40 and 42 as well as opposite side walls 44. The recesses 26 and28 have push-buttons 46 and 48 slidably received therein and eachpush-button 46 and 48 is mounted on the outer end of a shaft 50 and theinner ends of the shaft 50 are slidable through the bores 36 and 38.Compression springs 52 are disposed about the shaft 50 between thepush-buttons 46 and 48 and the inner ends of the recesses 26 and 28 andthereby urge the push-buttons 46 and 48 toward outermost positions,which outermost positions may be determined by a suitable stop meansoperatively associated with the shafts 50.

The rear of the housing 18 includes a hinged closure panel 54 and asolenoid operated latch assembly referred to in general by the referencenumeral 56 is carried by the rear portion of the top wall 40 andoperatively associated with the upper free swinging edge of the closurepanel 54 for latching the latter in the closed position thereof,illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings. The solenoid actuated latchstructure 56 includes a solenoid 58 and a pivoted latch 60 which isengageable with and upturned flange 62 carried by the free swinging edgeof the closure panel 54 and receivable through an opening 64 formed inthe housing portion 66 of the latch structure 56, the housing 66 beingsecured to the top wall by means of suitable fasteners 68 which may notbe readily removed. Further, the closure panel 54 includes a stop flange70 for closing the opening or slot 64 when the closure panel 54 is inthe closed position.

A support frame referred to in general by the reference numeral 72 islongitudinally slidable forwardly through the open rear of th housing 18when the panel 54 is in the open position and the support frame 72 islimited in its forward movement by means of an abutment portion 74carried by the bottom wall 42 of the housing 18. When in the forwardmostposition, the support frame 72 may be secured within the housing 18 bymeans of a fastener 76.

A plurality of switch bodies referred to in general by the referencenumeral 80 are pivotally supported from a support shaft 82 and for eachsupport body there is also provided a switch actuator 84 pivotallysupported from the shaft 82, the shaft 82 having its opposite endssupported from opposite side stands 86 carried by the frame 72. Eachswitch body 80 includes a pair of side plates 88 each having a terminal90 secured therethrough and to a terminal plate 92 having upper andlower terminal legs 94. A bowed spring 96 and insulating strip 98 areprovided between adjacent switch bodies 80 as may best be seen from FIG.6 of the drawings, so as to maintain proper spacing between adjacentswitch bodies 80. The side plates 88 are provided with bores 100 throughwhich the shaft 82 is rotatably received and each switch actuator 84includes a bore 102 through which the shaft 82 is rotatably received.Also, the terminals 90 are secured through bores 104 and counter bores106 thereof formed in the side plates 88 with which bores 108 formed inthe switch actuators 84 are registrable. Each bore 103 has a compressionspring 110 disposed therein and a contact cup 112 is disposed over eachend of each compression spring 1 10.

When the switch bodies and switch actuators 84 are in the positionsthereof illustrated in FIG. 2, the cups 112 are disposed in electricalcontact with the terminals and thus the terminal plates on the oppositesides of each switch body 80 are electrically connected so that eitherterminal leg 94 on one terminal plate 92 is electrically connected witheither terminal leg 94 on the other terminal plate 92. However, when theswitch body 80 is moved out of the center position illustrated in FIG. 2to an angularly displaced position such as that illustrated in FIG. 3,the terminals 90 are moved out of electrical contact with the cups 1 12and thus the terminal plates 92 of the switch body 80 are notelectrically connected. Furthermore, from the phantom line position ofthe swtich actuator 84 illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawings, it will benoted that the switch actuator 84 may be rotated to a position with itscups 112 electrically connecting the terminal 90 of the associatedswitch body 80 and it will also be understood that the switch bodies 80and switch actuators 84 may also be oppositely angularly displaced fromthe centered position thereof illustrated in FIG. 2.

A pair of opposite side rear stands 114 are carried by the support frame72 of a pair of opposite side front to rear extending fixed rack gears116 extend between the corresponding stands 86 and 114. Also, a slidingrack gear 118 is longitudinally slidably supported from each pair ofstands 86 and 114 and the forward end of one of the rack gears 118projects forwardly through the front wall 22 through a bore 120 formedtherein and is provided with a knob 122 disposed behind the cover plate30 when the latter is in a closed position.

A centering frame which may also be termed a cancelling frame isreferred to in general by the reference numeral 124 and is slidablysupported from the opposite side upper and lower gears 118 and 116. Theopposite sides of the cancelling frame 124 are notched as at 126, seeFIG. 7, and the forward ends of a pair of side straps 128 are anchoredto pins 130 carried in the notches 126 and the rear ends of the straps128 have the opposite ends of a transverse shaft 132 journaledtherethrough, the end portions of the shaft 132 having gear wheels 134mounted thereon for rotation therewith and the opposite side gear wheels134 being in meshed engagement with the corresponding rack gears 116 and118. One end portion of the shaft 132 is aligned with a front to rearextending horizontal slot 136 formed in one of the side walls 44 of thehousing 18 and a control knob 140 is slidably and rotatably received inthe slot 136 and is keyed to the shaft 132 for rotation therewith.

Accordingly, when the knob 140 is rotated from the exterior of thehousing 18, the shaft 132 is caused to move along the lower stationaryrack gears 116. If the knob 140 is turned in a direction to cause thegear wheels 134 to roll forwardly on the lower rack gears 116, theconnecting straps 128 carried by the opposite ends of the shaft 132 andanchored to the opposite sides of the cancelling frame 124 push thelatter forwardly so that the downwardly and upwardly projecting portions142 of the cancelling frame 124 will engage either the upper or lowersurface 146 of any switch actuator 84 out of the centered positionillustrated in FIG. 2, and urge that switch actuator 84 back to thecentered position of FIG. 2.

1 Each switch body 80 includes a rearwardly projecting support pin 1S0clamped between the corresponding side plates 88, which side plates 88of each switch body 80 are secured together by means of suitablefasteners 151. Each pin 150 has a knob 152 slidably mounted thereon andeach pin 150 has a compression spring 154 disposed thereabout betweenthe corresponding knob 152 and the associated switch body 80. The knobsin clude diametrically enlarged inner ends 156 and stop flanges 158 andthe knobs 152 are swingable through upstanding slots 160 formed in anarcuate slotted plate 162 supported from the top wall 40 and frontstands 86 by means of fasteners 164 and 166. The upper and lower ends ofeach slot include enlargements 168 and the center portion of each slotincludes an enlargement 170. The diametrically enlarged portions 156 ofthe knobs 152 are seatingly receivable in the enlargements 168 and 170in order to retain the knobs 152 in position and, if it is desired torotate a switch body 80 from one position to the other, thecorresponding knob 152 is pushed forwardly so as to compress thecorresponding spring 154 and disengage the diametrically enlargedportion 156 thereof from the associated enlarged portion of thecorresponding slot. Then, with the knob 152 pushed forwardly, the knobmay be utilized to swing the switch body 80 to a different positionwhereupon the knob 152 may be released so as to seat the diametricallyenlarged portion 156 thereon in the enlargement of the correspondingslot associated with that new position. It may, therefore, be readilyappreciated that each switch body 80 may be secured in three differentpositions.

The knob 140 may be removed through the slot 136 when desired and theknob 122 may be removed together with the fasteners 164 and also thefastener 76 in order to enable the entire support frame, the cancellingframe 124 and all of the switch actuators 84 and switch bodies 80 to beremoved from the rear of the housing 18 as a unit after the cover plate54 has been opened.

It is to be understood that various terminal legs 94 of the switchbodies 80 may be serially connected in a circuit, which circuit includesan input terminal at 176, see FIG. 9. The terminal 176 comprises oneterminal of a knife switch including a second terminal 178 and aconductor 180 has one end thereof connected to the terminal 178, theterminals 176 and 178 being secured to the front wall 22 of the housing18 adjacent the opening 24. The conductor 180 is, of course, theconductor in which various terminal legs 94 of the switch bodies 80 maybe connected in series and the conductor 180 is also connected to apush-button switch A, see FIG. 1, secured through the front wall 22 ofthe housing 18. The push-button switch A is then connected to a pair ofelectric solenoids (a), see FIG. 1 l, for actuation thereof. Actuationof either one or both of the solenoids (a) will cause the actuating rod182 to be raised, it being understood that the rod 182 is operativelyconnected to a latch mechanism for the door 14.

It may also be seen from FIGS. 9 and of the drawings that a cover door184 is also provided and may be swung between open and closed positionsrelative to the opening 24, the cover door 184 being hingedly supportedfrom the front wall 22 of the housing 18. Se-

cured to the inner side of the cover door 184 is a battery receivingstructure referred to in general by the reference numeral 186 and thebattery receiving structure 186 includes end plate terminals 188 and 190with which the opposite ends of an associated battery 192 may beoperatively engaged upon insertion of the battery into the structure 186through the opening 24. The end plate terminals 188 are electricallyconnected to conductors 194 and 196 and it may be seen that theconductors 194 is also connected to a terminal 198 of a knife switchincluding a second terminal 200. A conductor 202 extends between theterminal 200 and the conductor and a speing clip 204 is carried by theportion of the inner surface of the front wall 22 above the center ofthe opening 24. Also, a pair of switch arms 206 and 208 are hingedlysupported from the inner side of the front wall 22 and the free end ofthe switch arm 206 includes a bridging element 209 which normallybridges the terminals 176 and 178 and thus electrically connects theterminal 176 to the conductor 180. It is to be understood that reducedhousehold current will be supplied to the terminal 176.

When the closure door 184 is swung to the open position, the structure186 is swung through the opening 24 to the front side of the wall 22.When thus positioned, the structure 186 is extended to receive thebattery 192 and upon swinging movement of the structure 186 back throughthe opening 24 to the position thereof illustrated in FIG. 10 of thedrawings, the battery 192 contacts the switch arm 208 and thus causesthe arm 206 to swing inwardly away from the terminals 176 and 178 andthe free end of the arm 208 to swing downwardly and bridge the contacts198 and 200.

It may, therefore, be seen that in the event there is an interruption tohousehold current, the door 184 may be swung open and the battery 192may be placed in the structure 186. As the structure 186 is swung backto the position thereof illustrated in FIG. 10 of the drawings, thespring clip 204 will automatically engage and maintain the battery 192in position within the structure 186 and yieldingly retain the door 184in the closed position while at the same time causing the battery 192 tourge the free end of the arm 208 downwardly thereby disconnecting theconductor 180 from household current and connecting the battery 192 tothe conductor 180. Also, it may be seen from FIG. 1 of the drawings thata second push-button switch B is secured through the front Wall 22 andwill also be understood that the conductor 180 is electrically connectedto the push-button B. The push-button B is in turn electricallyconnected to the electric solenoids (b) illus trated in FIG. 11 of thedrawings. By this manner, either the solenoids (a) or the solenoids (b)may be actuated utilizing either household current in reduced form orbattery current from the battery 192. This double actuating system forthe latch operating rod 182 insures that even in the event of failure ofthe household current or three of the four solenoids, one of thesolenoids may be electrically actuated to operate the latch control rod182.

From FIG. 1 of the drawings, it may be seen that the various push-button46 and 48 are alternately upwardly and downwardly offset relative toeach other so as to provide adequate spacing between the push-buttons 46and 48. Also, it will be seen that there are eight pairs of push-buttonsand eight corresponding switch bodies 80.

When it is desired to preset the control assembly for actuation of thedoor lock operating rod 182, three, four or five of the switch bodies 80may be electrically connected in the control circuit in series andshifted to alternate positions or whatever positions are desired inorder to make it necessary to accurately push three, four or fivespecific push-buttons 46 and/or 48 in order to enable either the switchA or th switch B to actuate the solenoids (a) or the solenoids (11).Certain of the other remaining switch bodies 80 may also be shifted toselected positions and may be serially connected in audible alarmcircuits, visual alarm circuits and perhaps even an alarm circuit foroperating an alarm in a remote police station or an adjacent neighborshouse. Therefore, an unauthorized person attempting to gain entrancethrough the door 14 will not only have a very small chance or correctlypushing the three, four or five buttons which are required to enableeither the button A or the button B to be pushed in order to open thedoor 14, but there will be a very good chance that the unauthorizedperson attempting to gain entrance will actuate the various alarmsystems.

If the owner of a house in which the instant invention has beeninstalled intends to leave the premises for an extended period, he mayconnect six of the switch bodies 80 in the electrical circuit forcontrolling the solenoids to open the door so as to substantiallyeliminate any possibility of an unauthorized person passing the correctbuttons to open the door 14. However, if a person wishes his neighbor tohave temporary access to his home in his absence, he may designate oneor two of the switch bodies at those bodies which are to have one buttonpushed and he may electrically connect the two buttons in the circuitfor electrically actuating the solenoids (a) or the solenoids (b). Ofcourse, the solenoid 58 controlling the latch for the inner cover panel54 of the assembly may also be actuated through correct pressing of twoor more of the buttons 46 and 48 and in this manner unauthorizedtampering with the control system even by persons within the house maybe prevented. If it is not desired to utilize a lock assembly for theinner cover panel 54 actuatable by the buttons 46 and 48, a conventionalkey-operated tumbler lock may be used for the cover panel 54.

After a person has properly gained entrance through the door 14, thecancelling knob 140 may be turned in order to reset all of the switchactuators 84 which were angularly displaced due to the proper pushing ofthe predetermined buttons 46 and 48. In this manner, the assembly willbe ready to be subsequently actuated only by persons knowing the rightcombination of buttons to push. Further, when a person inside astructure under the control of the assembly of the instant inventionleaves that structure through the doorway 12, it is merely necessary forthat person to reach up and pull the knob 122 after having left thebuilding in order to reset all of the switch actuators 84. Then, afterpushing the knob 122 inwardly to move the cancelling frame 124 back outof position, the closure or cover panel 30 may be swung to the closedposition thereof illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings.

With attention again invented to FIG. 11, it may be seen that thesolenoids (a) include pull shafts or rods 214 which are connected to theopposite ends of a cross head 216 whose mid-portion is pivotallyconnected to the upper end of the operating rod 182. The lower ends ofthe pull shafts or rods 214 are slotted longitudinally and the oppositeends of the cross head or bar 216 are longitudinally slotted. Also, thesolenoids (b) include longitudinally slotted push rods or shafts 218 andthe slotted ends of the shafts 214 and 218 are connected to the slottedends of the cross head 216 by means of a transverse pin structure 220.Accordingly, sufficient slack is provided whereby the shaft 182 may beraised by operation of eithe one of the solenoids (a) and (b).

Further, as previously hereinbefore set forth, only three or four of theswitches or switch bodies need serially connected in a circuit forcontrolling the door latch solenoids. The other four switches may beused for different purposes. One or two may be serially connected in acircuit controlling a separate electrical apparatus such as a porchlight and one or two other of the switches may be connected in a lowvoltage circuit extending to a neighbors house for actuation of a silentof low volume alarm. in this latter instance, an unauthorized personattempting to open the door 14 by random pushing of the various buttons46 and 48 will undoubtedly actuate such an alarm and thus neighbors maybe signalled as to the attempt of an unauthorized person to open thedoor 14 while such an attempt is being made. Of course, the variousbuttons or switches which control several electrical circuits under thecontrol of the push-button control system 20 may be changed at any timein addition to the combination of upper and lower buttons which must bepushed in order to properly actuate each control circuit. The switches80 are constructed to adequately handle conventional -115 volt householdcurrent as well as lesser voltages such as 6 and 12 volt circuits.Accordingly, substantially any household circuit may be seriallyconnected to one or more of the switches for control of that circuit bythe push-button control system.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A push-button control assembly including a support having a pluralityof switch bodies supported therefrom for independent shifting relativeto said support between first and second limit positions as well asthird positions intermediate said first and second posi tions, each ofsaid switch bodies including thereon an associated switch actuator alsosupported from said support for shifting relative thereto between thesame first, second and third positions, each of said switch actuatorsincluding a pair of corresponding push-buttons operatively associatedtherewith for alternately shifting said actuators between said first andsecond positions thereof in response to alternate actuation of thecorresponding push-buttons, said switch bodies each including a pair ofspaced terminals shiftable therewith and said switch actuators eachincluding terminal bridging means operative to electrically bridge thecorresponding body terminals in response to said actuator being disposedin the first or second position thereof when the corresponding switchbody is disposed in its first or second position, respectively.

2. The assembly of claim 1 including selectively actuatable return meansoperative to shift all of said switch actuators to said third positionsthereof.

3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said support and switch bodiesinclude releasably actuatable means operative to retain said switchbodies in selected shifted positions.

4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said support includes first electriccurrent input means electrically connected to a conductor adapted forselective connection, in series, with the terminals of selected switchbodies.

5. The assembly of claim 4 wherein said support includes selectivelyactuatable second alternate current input means.

6. The assembly of claim 5 wherein said alternate current input meansincludes means operative, when actuated, to disconnect said firstcurrent input means from said conductor and to connect said secondcurrent input means to said conductor.

7. The assembly of claim 1 in combination with a door, said assemblybeing supported from said door with said push-buttons accessible fromone side of said door and said switch bodies accessible from the otherside of said door.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein said control assembly includesselectively actuatable return means operative to shift all of saidswitch actuators to said third positions thereof, said return meansincluding a first actuator operable from said one side of said door anda second actuator operable from said other side of said door.

9. The assembly of claim 1 including a housing, said support beinremovably supported in said housing.

10. The assembly of claim 9 wherein said support and switch bodiesinclude releasably actuatable means operative to retain said switchbodies in selected shifted 10 positions.

11. The assembly of claim 10 in combination with a door, said assemblybeing supported from said door with said push-buttons accessible fromone side of said door and said switch bodies accessible from the otherside of said door.

12. A push-button control assembly including a support having aplurality of switch bodies supported therefrom for independent shiftingrelative to said support between first and second limit positions, eachof said switch bodies including therein an associated switch actuatoralso supported from said support for shifting relative thereto betweenthe same first and second positions, manually operable means forselectively shifting said actuators independenendently of said switchbodies between their first and second positions, said switch bodiesincluding pairs of spaced terminals, said switch actuators eachincluding terminal bridging means operative to electrically bridge thecorresponding body terminals in response to said actuator being disposedin a position corresponding to the position of the associated switchbody.

13. The assembly of claim 12 wherein said control assembly includesselectively actuatable return means operative to shift all of saidswitch actuators to third positions thereof.

14. The assembly of claim 12 wherein said support includes firstelectric current input means electrically connected to a conductoradapted for selective connection, in series, with the terminals ofselected switch bodies.

15. The assembly of claim 12 in combination with a door, said assemblybeing supported from said door with said actuators accessible from oneside of said door and said switch bodies accessible from the other sideof said door.

1. A push-button control assembly including a support having a pluralityof switch bodies supported therefrom for independent shifting relativeto said support between first and second limit positions as well asthird positions intermediate said first and second positions, each ofsaid switch bodies including thereon an associated switch actuator alsosupported from said support for shifting relative thereto between thesame first, second and third positions, each of said switch actuatorsincluding a pair of corresponding push-buttons operatively associatedtherewith for alternately shifting said actuators between said first andsecond positions thereof in response to alternate actuation of thecorresponding push-buttons, said switch bodies each including a pair ofspaced terminals shiftable therewith and said switch actuators eachincluding terminal bridging means operative to electrically bridge thecorresponding body terminals in response to said actuator being disposedin the first or second position thereof when the corresponding switchbody is disposed in its first or second position, respectively.
 2. Theassembly of claim 1 including selectively actuatable return meansoperative to shift all of said switch actuators to said third positionsthereof.
 3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said support and switchbodies include releasably actuatable means operative to retain saidswitch bodies in selected shifted positions.
 4. The assembly of claim 1wherein said support includes first electric current input meanselectrically connected to a conductor adapted for selective connection,in series, with the terminals of selected switch bodies.
 5. The assemblyof claim 4 wherein said support includes selectively actuatable secondalternate current input means.
 6. The assembly of claim 5 wherein saidalternate current input means includes means operative, when actuated,to disconnect said first current input means from said conductor and toconnect said second current input means to said conductor.
 7. Theassembly of claim 1 in combination with a door, said assembly beingsupported from said door with said push-buttons accessible from one sideof said door and said switch bodies accessible from the other side ofsaid door.
 8. The combination of claim 7 wherein said control assemblyincludes selectively actuatable return means operative to shift all ofsaid switch actuators to said third positions thereof, said return meansincluding a first actuator operable from said one side of said door anda second actuator operable from said other side of said door.
 9. Theassembly of claim 1 including a housing, said support bein removablysupported in said housing.
 10. The assembly of claim 9 wherein saidsupport and switch bodies include releasably actuatable means operativeto retain said switch bodies in selected shifted positionS.
 11. Theassembly of claim 10 in combination with a door, said assembly beingsupported from said door with said push-buttons accessible from one sideof said door and said switch bodies accessible from the other side ofsaid door.
 12. A push-button control assembly including a support havinga plurality of switch bodies supported therefrom for independentshifting relative to said support between first and second limitpositions, each of said switch bodies including therein an associatedswitch actuator also supported from said support for shifting relativethereto between the same first and second positions, manually operablemeans for selectively shifting said actuators independenendently of saidswitch bodies between their first and second positions, said switchbodies including pairs of spaced terminals, said switch actuators eachincluding terminal bridging means operative to electrically bridge thecorresponding body terminals in response to said actuator being disposedin a position corresponding to the position of the associated switchbody.
 13. The assembly of claim 12 wherein said control assemblyincludes selectively actuatable return means operative to shift all ofsaid switch actuators to third positions thereof.
 14. The assembly ofclaim 12 wherein said support includes first electric current inputmeans electrically connected to a conductor adapted for selectiveconnection, in series, with the terminals of selected switch bodies. 15.The assembly of claim 12 in combination with a door, said assembly beingsupported from said door with said actuators accessible from one side ofsaid door and said switch bodies accessible from the other side of saiddoor.